White confirms McGregor will not make UFC return until 2025

UFC boss Dana White has given clarity on Conor McGregor’s return to the promotion, confirming the Irish star will not fight until early 2025.

“Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025,” White said on Tuesday.

“Let me tell you this, I was the one this year saying I don’t think he’s going to fight this year, amid all the talk and everything else.

“Even the fight being set up in the press conference.”

The date for McGregor’s next fight has been constantly shifting over the past year.

The former champion was slated to fight Michael Chandler in June 2024, until McGregor injured himself in training and was forced to withdraw.

At the time, UFC bookmakers had him a slight favourite to prevail on his return to action.

It has now been more than three years since McGregor last fought, with the 36-year-old taking on Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 and breaking his leg in July 2021.

“He’s had so much time off, as far as the hunger, he’s a very wealthy guy,” White said.

“We’ll find out. We’ll find out when he comes back.

“But he is definitely one of the big superstars of the sport that elevated the UFC all throughout Europe and other parts of the world.

“He’s been a big star and a great partner for us.”

The last time the UFC boss spoke on McGregor’s return, the Irishman took to social media to contradict White.

“Ah Dana, December is the date!” the Dubliner posted in August, after White said no fight would take place in 2024.

“Bring the calendar year home with a winning event!

“Come on now, what’s this?

“Tell Dana and UFC WE WANT DECEMBER! WE DESERVE DECEMBER!”

McGregor is yet to respond to White’s comments this week, however.

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